Is it easy to get a student credit card?

Student credit cards tend to have lighter credit application requirements than other unsecured credit cards, so students with little to no credit history may have better approval odds. Remember that you’ll often have to prove school enrollment when applying.

When should you get a student credit card?

You should consider getting a credit card when you can manage it responsibly. However, the Credit CARD Act of 2009 restricts credit card issuers from granting new accounts to people younger than 21. You could get a credit card earlier if you can demonstrate a reliable independent income source or have a cosigner, but this ultimately depends on the issuer.

Can international students apply for a credit card?

Yes, you can apply for a credit card as an international student, though you’ll still need to meet certain requirements. Some card issuers allow students to apply using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead of a Social Security number (SSN).

What should you do with your student card after graduation?

You can continue to use your student credit card after graduation. However, if you’ve used your credit responsibly over the years and have achieved a decent credit score, consider applying for a more traditional credit card that offers better rewards rates on a wider range of spending categories. If you want to maintain your credit history, keep your student card open or upgrade to a more rewarding version of the card.

Do you need a job to get a student credit card?

No, you are not required to have a job to get a credit card, although most issuers will request some proof of income to ensure you can cover your credit card bill.

Best Student Credit Cards for September 2025

Compare Bankrate’s top student credit cards

Card name	Best for	Card highlights	Bankrate review score
Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card	Overall student card	8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply) 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and grocery store purchases (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®) 1% cash back on all other purchases	4.6 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees
Discover it® Student Cash Back	Rotating cash back	5% cash back on up to $1,500 per quarter of combined rotating category purchases (activation required), then 1% 1% cash back on all other purchases	5.0 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Discover's secure site See Rates & Fees
Chase Freedom Rise®	No deposit	1.5% cash back on all purchases	4.2 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Chase's secure site See Rates & Fees
Firstcard® Secured Credit Builder Card with Cashback for Students	International students	Up to 15% cash back on over 29,000 partner merchants Up to 10% random cash back after every eligible purchase Earn an additional 1% Unlimited Cashback with Firstcard Premium on all qualifying transactions	3.0 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Firstcard's secure site See Rates & Fees
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card for Students	Intro APR	Earn 2% cash back on all purchases for the first year from account opening Earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases after the first year from account opening
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students	Travel	3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center Unlimited 1.5X points on all purchases	3.9 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Bank of America's secure site
Discover it® Student Chrome	Commuters	2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter (then 1%)	3.9 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Discover's secure site See Rates & Fees
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card	Flat-rate cash back	1.5% cash back on purchases Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel	4.6 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees

Why you should build credit as a student

Building credit early with a student credit card grants you a crucial financial head start. You can build credit early in your adult life by getting into the routine of using money responsibly while setting yourself up for future success. Building credit as a student helps you unlock these financial wins down the line:

Lower interest rates, higher credit limits and better loan terms
Saves you money on milestones like renting an apartment, buying a car or starting a business.
Helps you learn more about budgeting, managing finances and the impact of debt.

These experiences lay the groundwork for a lifetime of financial decision-making, which is essential for long-term financial stability and future financial opportunities.

Is a student card right for you? Pros and cons of student credit cards

What makes a great student card

Choosing a great student credit card instead of one that’s just “good enough” means you’ll need to consider a few factors while narrowing down your choices.

Credit-building tools

As a student, you likely aren’t starting with a high credit score (or any credit at all) so you’ll want to choose a student credit card with tools that can help you keep track of your credit over time and give you a helping hand at raising your score. Look for features like reporting to all three credit bureaus, offering credit line increases and providing free credit reports. For example, Capital One offers CreditWise, which is a robust credit-building tool that can help you simulate your score, educate you on credit scoring factors and provide you with free access to your FICO score.

Student-centric perks

Look for student cards with student-centric perks, like late-fee forgiveness, purchase protections or strong rewards on entertainment, streaming services, groceries or gas purchases.

Graduated offers

Many student cards have a “graduated” version you could upgrade to once you’re ready to move beyond student credit cards. If you upgrade with the same issuer, you could skip putting in a new application and avoid a hit to your score. One of the cards that does this well is the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card. Capital One reviews your account automatically every six months to determine if you're eligible for a credit limit increase. Plus, after you graduate from school, you can transition your card to the non-student version.

Credit requirements

Issuers typically reserve student credit cards for anyone enrolled in college courses with little or no credit history. However, some may have a minimum credit score or income required for approval. You’ll also need to check for additional requirements, such as part-time or full-time status or if two-year institutions are eligible.

Easy on fees

Less money spent on fees means more money you can spend on other things. Most student credit cards don’t charge an annual fee, but you should keep an eye out for foreign transaction fees, late fees or other hidden fees. If you’re concerned about fees, you may want to consider the Firstcard® Secured Credit Builder Card with Cashback for Students.

Welcome offers

The best student credit cards typically have a welcome offer for new cardholders as long as you meet the stipulations. If you were already planning to spend the amount required to earn the welcome offer, you could use the extra cash back or rewards to offset your purchases. For example, the Discover it® Student Cash Back has a strong welcome offer through its Cashback Match program which matches all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.

How to use a credit card responsibly as a student

As a student, using a credit card responsibly is important for building a positive credit history and avoiding debt. Here are some key tips for using a credit card responsibly:

Create a budget and monitor your spending. Establish a monthly budget to track your expenses to avoid overspending and ensure you can afford to pay off your credit card balance in full each month.
Pay on time. Make timely credit card payments to avoid late fees and negative marks on your credit report.
Limit your credit utilization. If you do carry a balance, keep your credit utilization ratio below 30 percent each billing cycle. It accounts for 30 percent of your FICO credit score.
Be aware of all fees. Credit cards come with their own set of credit card fees. Avoiding some of them is easy if you pick the right card.
Keep up with your credit score. It's important to keep a close eye on your credit score so you’ll know if there have been any changes. Seeing progress might motivate you to make better decisions when using a credit card.

Ask the Experts

What steps should students take to prepare for managing their first credit card?

Rita-Soledad Fernández Paulino (she/they)

Founder of Wealth Para Todos, Money & Self-Care Coach

The most important thing for students to understand is credit utilization — that’s the amount of credit you use compared to your total credit limit. A good rule of thumb is to keep your utilization under 30 percent. So, if your credit card has a $1,000 limit, try not to charge more than $300. This helps protect your credit score. Ideally, you should treat your credit card like a debit card: only charge what you can afford, earn the cash back rewards and pay off the full balance each month once your statement posts. That way, you avoid paying interest entirely.

But I also want to acknowledge that using a credit card this way is a privilege. Many students rely on credit cards because they don’t have the cash available in the moment. In those cases, it’s essential to find a card with a 0 percent intro APR, preferably one that offers at least 12 to 15 months interest-free. This gives you time to pay off the balance without accruing interest—especially helpful if you can work during the summer or school breaks.

If you’re going to use credit as a tool to bridge financial gaps, make sure you’re familiar with debt payoff calculators and have a clear plan for how you’ll repay what you owe. Responsible credit use is a skill and learning it early can protect your financial future.

Linda Ta Yonemoto, CFEI

Founder, Good For You Money

Before applying for a credit card, make sure you have a budget and savings set aside so you won't need to rely on high-interest credit cards in an emergency.

Don’t carry a balance. Use your card like a debit card, and only spend what you can pay off in full each month. Remember to set up autopay to avoid missed payments and steep interest charges of 20 percent or more. Smart preparation now builds your credit score, confidence, good spending habits, and long-term trust with your current and future bank or card issuers.

Dara Duguay

CEO, Credit Builder’s Alliance

The most important factor that goes into achieving an excellent credit score is making timely payments. If payments are late, they are assessed a late fee and may even cause an increase in the interest rate (read the fine print). However, if they are more than 30 days late, this is recorded as a negative on their credit report and can result in a decrease of around 100 points. In order to pay on time, they can set up auto-pay. This way the payment is made automatically, regardless of whether they tend to procrastinate or forget to make the payment. Additionally, they need to take the security of their card seriously. This includes never sharing their credit card number with friends or merchants that are not verified. They also need to report their credit card’s loss immediately, if it is stolen or lost.

How to choose a student credit card

Now that you know what to look for, you have to choose your student credit card. With all the options out there, it can seem overwhelming, but following these steps could help you narrow down your choices.

Analyze your spending

It all starts with knowing where you spend the most money. If you’re adventurous, you might appreciate a card with rewards on gas and airfare. Leaning more toward practicality? Look for cards that offer cash back on groceries. When you’re not sure what your spending habits are, it’s time to consult your bank account.

Most banks have budgeting tools built into your online banking to help you break down which categories you’re spending the most in each month. If your bank doesn’t have those tools, you can always use a budgeting app or a spreadsheet to organize your expenses.

Then, check out Bankrate’s Credit Card Spender Type Tool to see what kind of spender profile best suits you. Once you’ve chosen a profile, you can get personalized credit card recommendations based on your spending habits and daily needs.

Consider study abroad or travel plans

Many credit cards charge foreign transaction fees — usually around 3 to 5 percent of each transaction. That quickly gets expensive if you’re planning to study or travel abroad while you’re in college. Picking a card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees can save you money in the long run.

You’ll also want to think about how widely accepted your credit card will be while abroad. Some credit card issuers use networks like Visa that are internationally available nearly anywhere, while others might use a network like American Express that has a slightly more limited range of use.

Simple rewards structure

Getting a credit card in college is a wise decision to build your credit when used responsibly. Earning rewards is an added benefit, but overcomplicated credit card rewards are the last thing you’ll want to deal with when you’re balancing studies, friends and even a part-time job.

When choosing a student credit card, you might start with one that has a simple rewards structure and doesn’t require much effort to keep up with outside of the required monthly payments. Flat-rate cash back credit cards are one of the simplest rewards cards to begin your journey with. You’ll earn the same rate of cash back on every purchase rather than keeping up with complex spending requirements or rewards systems.

Consider Alternatives

Getting a student credit card isn’t the only way to earn rewards, build credit or pay for purchases while you’re in college. You can still access credit and gain similar benefits by going for these alternatives:

Become an authorized user
Sign up for a secured credit card
Look into credit cards for no credit history

Compare cards

Narrow down your options even further by comparing cards. Here are the other factors you’ll need to compare when choosing a student credit card:

Annual percentage rates (APRs)
Fees
Rewards rates
Additional perks (welcome bonuses, complimentary memberships, or introductory offers)

Which cards do I qualify for?

After choosing your top contenders, it’s time to explore which cards you qualify for. To avoid wasting your time, stick to cards with approval requirements within your credit score range or don’t require a credit history to apply. You can also take the next step of getting prequalified or preapproved for the cards you want.

The prequalification and preapproval process includes a soft pull on your credit report, which won’t impact your credit score. By looking at your report and other factors, an issuer can let you know whether you’re likely to be approved for the card you’re looking at.

Check to see whether you’re preapproved by going directly to the issuer’s site or by using Bankrate’s CardMatch™ tool. Once you know your approval odds, you can make an informed decision about which card to apply to.

Bankrate insight

How a Bankrate expert chose a student credit card

Bankrate writer Benét Wilson is part of a loyal Bank of America family, and she started her credit journey with the low-cost card a family member recommended to her. Benét still recommends streamlined cards like hers for students, but she stresses that students should take the time to thoroughly research the card that best fits their needs.

Bankrate staff insights

"While I was in college, credit card companies worked hard to get students to apply for credit cards through sign-up events and giveaway items like shirts and frisbees to turn students into life-long customers. I chose the BankAmericard® Credit Card for Students* at a campus event because my grandfather was a Bank of America bank manager and recommended it for establishing credit. He gave me a long lecture on using the card responsibly, but it didn't stick. I racked up charges on dumb stuff like food, clothing and entertainment and hit my spending limit quickly. I worked almost a year to pay off that card. I wish I could say I learned my lesson and never overcharged credit cards again, but that would be a lie.

Regardless, the student BankAmericard was a good fit for my financial and credit-building needs at the time, and it’s still a solid option for students looking for their first credit card. Just do your homework and choose wisely since that first credit card will set the tone for your financial history.

If you have the option, also consider asking your parents to make you an authorized user. With the right card, you can take advantage of rewards and perks that don't normally come with student credit cards.”

Benét Wilson, Writer, Credit Cards

Best alternatives to student credit cards

College is a great time to try new things and take (reasonable) risks, but that’s not an ideal approach to managing finances. Student cards often have unsecured credit lines with some of the best rewards rates and perks — and perhaps the lowest rates and fees — available with starter cards. They’re certainly one of the best ways to build credit as a college student, but being reluctant to get a credit card or wanting a card with more guardrails is understandable.

Some of the most common alternatives to student credit cards include:

Secured credit cards: These cards require a security deposit, and several top options earn rewards without charging an annual fee.
Alternative credit scoring models: Tools like UltraFICO and Experian Boost look at aspects of your finances aside from credit history to help establish your credit score, including utility bills, streaming services and rent payments.
Become an authorized user: You’ll receive a card linked to the primary cardholder's account. You can use this card to access the authorized user’s credit line, but only the authorized user is responsible for making payments.

If you’re nervous to strike out on your own in the credit card market, some of the best credit-building options may require asking a relative or someone else you trust if you can become an authorized user on their credit card account. Bankrate editor Daniella Ramirez went this route and could skip the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card and obtain its full-fledged counterpart.

My parents added me as an authorized user on their Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card, and I built my credit history by being associated with their account. They maintained a good payment history on the card, so I essentially piggybacked on their credit, which reflects on my credit report. Thanks to being an authorized user, I built a good credit score and had access to the full Quicksilver card right away.
Daniella Ramirez, Bankrate editor

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

*The information about the BankAmericard® Credit Card for Students and the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card for Students has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

Still deciding if a student credit card is right for you?

Check out our Credit Card Spender Type Tool to get personalized credit card recommendations based on your credit score, spending habits and daily needs.

Researching the best student credit cards

50+

cards rated

500+

data points analyzed

250+

fees tracked

40+

perks evaluated

We thoroughly rate and research the best low-interest credit cards based on key criteria to help you make confident decisions when choosing your next credit card. Learn more about our methodology below.

Frequently asked questions about student credit cards

Student credit cards tend to have lighter credit application requirements than other unsecured credit cards, so students with little to no credit history may have better approval odds. Remember that you’ll often have to prove school enrollment when applying.
You should consider getting a credit card when you can manage it responsibly. However, the Credit CARD Act of 2009 restricts credit card issuers from granting new accounts to people younger than 21. You could get a credit card earlier if you can demonstrate a reliable independent income source or have a cosigner, but this ultimately depends on the issuer.
Yes, you can apply for a credit card as an international student, though you’ll still need to meet certain requirements. Some card issuers allow students to apply using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead of a Social Security number (SSN).
You can continue to use your student credit card after graduation. However, if you’ve used your credit responsibly over the years and have achieved a decent credit score, consider applying for a more traditional credit card that offers better rewards rates on a wider range of spending categories. If you want to maintain your credit history, keep your student card open or upgrade to a more rewarding version of the card.
No, you are not required to have a job to get a credit card, although most issuers will request some proof of income to ensure you can cover your credit card bill.

How we assess the best cards for students

When evaluating the best cards for students, we consider a mix of factors, including how cards score in our proprietary card rating system and whether cards offer features that make it easy to build credit history while minimizing costs.

We analyzed over 50 of the most popular cards designed for students and rated each based on its cost, APR, credit-building features and more to determine whether it belonged in this month’s roundup.

Here’s a look at how our rating methodology breaks down for student credit cards:

Overall Score

Ongoing cost 45%
Perks 35%
Introductory offer 10%
Customer experience 10%

A credit-building card’s cost has a large influence on its overall score and our decision to include it in our best cards list. This is because cards in this category tend to be much pricier than traditional credit cards designed for people with a good or better credit score.

We compare a card’s total cost, including any annual fees, account activation fees, monthly fees and more against the total cost of other cards in the credit-building category and assign each card a score based on its affordability. We also factor rewards-earning potential into our assessment of a credit-building card’s total cost, subtracting expected earnings from the sum of its fees.

To get a sense of a credit-building card’s rewards-earning potential, we estimate its average annual rewards rate and average annual earnings based on the most popular spending categories (as covered in the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer spending report).

However, we use a slightly lower spending assumption ($300 per month or $3,600 per year) to estimate average earnings, assuming credit-builders will start out with a lower credit limit, will want to keep credit utilization low and will focus primarily on small purchases they can easily pay off.

While low-cost credit-building cards will always be at a major advantage in our scoring system and will likely earn a higher spot on our best cards list, no-annual-fee credit-building cards can be hard to come by, especially if you’re looking for an unsecured card. With this in mind, we may include unsecured cards with high fees in our list if they offer other benefits for credit-builders, like a high starting credit limit or useful perks.

A card’s APR is also a major factor in its credit-building score. Each card’s average APR is compared against the average APR of other cards in the category, and the cards with lower-than-average APRs receive a higher rating.

Given the many costs students face — from textbooks to laptops — the presence of an introductory APR on purchases or balance transfers also plays a role in a student card’s score and its inclusion on our list.

Though high APRs are hard to avoid when you’re just starting out or working on your score, credit-builders and students should strive for as low an APR as possible since they’re likely to either be new to managing cards or trying to establish better financial habits and avoid falling into debt.
Along with a credit-building card’s cost, we consider how easy the card makes it to build credit. To assess this, we evaluate its credit limit potential and minimum deposit requirement.

Unsecured cards with a high starting credit limit and secured cards that let you put down a large deposit and get a matching high credit limit will score the highest according to our “Ease of building credit” rubric and are more likely to appear on our list.

This is because a high credit limit can make it much easier to keep your credit utilization low, a primary credit-building factor that makes up 30 percent of your FICO credit score.

Secured cards have a slight advantage in this category since the maximum credit limit on a secured card tends to be much higher than the typical starting credit limit on an unsecured card that’s available with a bad or fair credit score. However, unsecured credit-building cards have the upper hand in another key aspect of building credit: accessibility.

Cards that carry no or a low deposit requirement can also receive a high score according to our “Ease of building credit” rubric since these cards offer a lower barrier to entry than secured cards that require you to put up hundreds of dollars in an upfront deposit.

Indeed, some users may prefer to pay a non-refundable $50 annual fee while they work on their credit score than tie up hundreds in a refundable security deposit.
We evaluate a student or credit-building card’s benefits based on how useful they are for someone looking to build a positive credit history or save money on everyday spending.

We consider the inclusion of a rewards program, student-centric perks, access to your credit score or a credit monitoring service of prime importance, along with the ability to prequalify for the card with only a soft credit pull and a clear path to increase your credit limit or graduate to an unsecured or full-fledged rewards card.

Cards that include these benefits are likely to score higher according to our credit-building card and student card scoring rubrics and are more likely to earn a place in our list.

We use primary sources to support our work. Bankrate’s authors, reporters and editors are subject-matter experts who thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate, timely and relevant.
1. “Credit scoring alternatives for those without credit.” U.S. Government Accountability Office. Accessed on August 29, 2025.
2. “Taxpayer Identification numbers (TIN).” Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Accessed on August 29, 2025.

Best student credit cards of September 2025

+ Show Summary

Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

Discover it® Student Cash Back

Chase Freedom Rise®

Firstcard® Secured Credit Builder Card with Cashback for Students

Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card for Students

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students

Discover it® Student Chrome

Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card